Michael Mwenso & The Shakes: They Laugh and Smile at Greenwich House Music School

Michael Mwenso strikes out on his own with a new musical revue. This premiere performance will feature Mwenso's new compositions that chronicle working through the struggle of being different to discovering the redemptive power of love, community, and inner strength at Greenwich House Music School.

Michael Mwenso & The Shakes: Website / Facebook Whether fulfilling the role of vocalist or showman, Michael Mwenso conveys both the sophistication and spontaneity of hardcore jazz alongside the music's folkloric roots with impeccable craft, creativity, and communicative flair. Tonight, Mwenso performs as leader -- or ringleader -- of Michael Mwenso & The Shakes, a revue comprised of vocalists Vuyo Sotashe, Mathis Picard on keys and piano, Kyle Poole on drums, Russell Hall on bass and Michela Marino Lerman performing live tap. Don't be shocked if a few surprise guests join in as well!
Born and raised in Freetown, Sierra Leone, until age 10, Mwenso began singing, playing piano and trombone and, by 13, was touring with an old school swing band. His charismatic blend of raw talent and precocious erudition also drew the attention of James Brown, who offered Mwenso a guest spot singing and dancing at his UK engagements; by age 16, Mwenso left school and turned professional. In 2009, Wynton Marsalis witnessed the vibrant scene that had coalesced around Mwenso and invited him to move to New York, with a mandate to attract a younger, broader audience to Dizzy's and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Since, Mwenso has been featured on Jazz Night In America on NPR, and performed at the Kennedy Center's 2015 New Year's Eve Gala.

Michael Mwenso & The Shakes
Personnel and Instrumentation:

Michael Mwenso - Vocals

Vuyo Sotashe - Vocals

Mathis Picard - Piano, Keyboard

Kyle Poole - Drums

Russell Hall - Bass

Michela Marino Lerman - Tap Dancing

For full performance details, click here.

Uncharted 2017 Full Schedule
March 23 at 8:00 pm Michael Mwenso & The Shakes: They Laugh and Smile
March 30 at 8:00 pm The Masakowski Family Band: The Masakowski Family Band Album Release Party
April 6 at 8:00 pm Radio Jarocho & Zenen Zeferino: An Exploration of Son Jarocho's Past and Present
April 13 at 8:00 pm Sofía Rei: Umbral
April 20 at 8:00 pm Innov Gnawa: Sebitiyin - The Jewish Songs of Gnawa
April 27 at 8:00 pm Dan Tepfer and Aaron Diehl: Duo Piano
May 4 at 8:00 pm Krystle Warren: In a Sentimental Mood
May 11 at 8:00 pm Chris Washburne's Rags and Roots: Album Release Celebration

About Uncharted Concert Series

Now entering its third full year, Uncharted at Greenwich House Music School has emerged as one of New York's most exciting and unpredictable live music series, drawing attention from tastemakers and curators from across the city. Every Uncharted performance features New York City artists premiering new projects or meeting with new collaborators for the first time on stage. Past performers include a collaboration between Marc Ribot and Emeline Michel, Sony Masterworks recording artist Bria Skonberg, ShaRon Jones and The Dap-Kings guitarist Binky Griptite, acclaimed harpist Brandee Younger, vocalist Deva Mahal, jazz trumpeter Steven Bernstein, Broadway's Grace McLean (The Great Comet), avant-garde theater artists Erin Markey and Emily Bate and many more. The 2017 Uncharted season promises a continuation of eclectic excellence in a broad selection of genres representing the melting pot of New York City, including Mexican folkloric, ragtime, classical, modern and traditional jazz, ancient Moroccan devotional and contemporary R&B.

"The Uncharted series was founded as a safe space for artists to take risks," says series curator Jennie Wasserman, formerly of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Joe's Pub, Carnegie Hall, and SFJAZZ. "This year's programming, however, also embraces the voices of women, immigrants, minorities, and LGBTQ communities, in response to the divisiveness of the recent election. New York City is America's quintessential sanctuary city, and Greenwich House, located in the heart of the the historically diverse West Village, is an artistic and cultural sanctuary where artists are encouraged to take risks and exercise freedom of expression. The Uncharted series offers the opportunity for artists and audiences alike, to come together and experience the life-changing power of live performance to challenge preconceived notions, diminish our differences, and celebrate our humanity."

Performances for Uncharted take place every Thursday from March 23 to May 11 with performances beginning at 8:00 pm. Most performances are $15 for advance tickets. Complimentary drinks will be served prior to and during all concerts.

About Greenwich House Music School

Greenwich House Music School is a program of Greenwich House which was founded in 1902 as a settlement house to help Greenwich Village's immigrant population adjust to life in New York City. Today, the organization remains true to its founders' mission to help individuals and families lead more fulfilling lives by offering social and health services and cultural and education programs to nearly 12,000 New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds annually. For more information, visit greenwichhouse.org.

Uncharted is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. This program is also sponsored in part by the New York University Office of Civic Engagement and The Catskill Jazz Factory.

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